Syria's Army Isn't Winning Hearts And Minds

With Looting, Syria's Army Isn't Winning Hearts And Minds -- NPR

Editor's Note: Throughout the Syrian uprising, the government has allowed few foreign journalists and other outsiders into the country. In this report, a Syrian citizen describes life in the capital, Damascus. For security reasons, NPR is not identifying the author.

As the Syrian military struggles against rebel fighters, it seems the army has not been paying a lot of attention to winning the hearts and minds of civilians.

An increasing number of civilians report that soldiers have moved into their homes and apartments while conducting operations, and trashing, looting or even burning places before leaving.

Consider the case of Abu Mohammad, a retired widower who lived in what was until recently the relatively calm Damascus suburb of Hameh.

Read more ....

My Comment: Threatening to use chemical weapons will also not win the 'hearts and minds' of Syrian citizens.